Exploring the presentation of 1980s Britain in Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore Scene Two of ‘Leave Taking’, with a focus on how Pinnock presents 1980s Britain.
Key learning points
- Scene Two of ‘Leave Taking’ explores examples of racism present in 1980s Britain.
- Some examples of racism explored are presented as systemic (for example the Eurocentric education system).
- Other examples of racial discrimination are explored on an individual basis.
- Brod, Enid and Del react to the discrimination they face differently.
- Despite their conflict, Enid and Del share some common characteristics.
Keywords
Discrimination - Unjust treatment of people based on certain characteristics. For example, race, gender, age.
Racism - Discrimination against people based on their race or ethnicity.
Eurocentric - When there is a focus on European culture or history, ignoring or excluding cultures and history from the wider world.
Nanny of the Maroons - 18th century leader of the Jamaican Maroons; led formerly enslaved Africans against British colonialists.
Common misconception
Enid doesn't think England is racist.
Enid is very private about her views: we see only her reaction to the discrimination she faces. Consider if her dialogue reveals more.
Teacher tip
In learning cycle 2, consider the adjectives chosen to describe Enid and Del. Are they the ones that would most speak to your class, given you have already started to explore these characters?
Equipment
You need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' published by Nick Hern Books.
Content guidance
Contains strong language
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.'Leave Taking' includes a number of characters who migrated to Britain from Jamaica. Why was there a mass migration movement to Britain after World War Two?
Q2.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid says that there are no opportunities in Jamaica. What reason does Brod give for this?
Q3.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', why does Brod say he keeps his Jamaican passport up to date?
Q4.In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', what word beginning with 'h' does Enid use to describe her experiences in the letters she sends to her family in Jamaica?
Q5.Pinnock, in her introduction to 'Leave Taking', describes the power of colonialist education and its affect on her parents. What word does she use to describe the process of this influence?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', what does Del reveal happened to Enid at a staff party Enid attended?
Q2.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', why does Enid slap Del?
Q3.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Del complains that her mother bows and scrapes to her ' England.'
Q4.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Del says she thinks her mother is blind to some of the racism in Britain. She states that she doesn't see the police vans " " them down.
Q5.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod speaks of a friend of his who was the target of a racist attack. He says after the attack, 'Gullyman heart '.
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Exploring the presentation of 1980s Britain in Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Exploring the presentation of 1980s Britain in Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Leave Taking: a sense of belonging unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.